Mental Health &
Learning Difficulties

Living with a disabled brother or sister can give rise to questions and worries, as well as certain challenges that can be difficult to articulate. The family unit usually invests a considerable amount of time and energy in the disabled child, often at the expense of the other siblings.

 

Fondation Dora is helping the Resiliam association in its work to support children facing the challenges of a sibling’s disability. The association has created a support group which gives these children the chance to meet with peers in a similar situation. Designed especially for them, this space enables these children to express themselves and share their experiences, ideas, solutions, emotions and feelings through games, discussions and creative workshops. Feedback from the children has been very positive; they especially like being surrounded by peers who understand them, and also having a space made especially and only for them.

 

The children all have different backgrounds, questions and sibling relationships born of their varied personal experiences and the different disabilities of their siblings: multiple disabilities, intellectual difficulties, developmental problems, autism spectrum disorders, etc. The children are not set apart by these differences, however; instead, they find common ground in their shared experiences and emotions, which helps them connect with each other.

 

Resiliam 's work involves two distinct stages: family support and the peer support group.
 

• Family support: a first session to evaluate the child’s needs and the type of support required, followed by at least a second session, or more if necessary.
   

• Peer support group: this group for children enables participants to share their problems as well as their coping tips, helping them to feel less alone. It meets at least once a month and is led by two psychomotor therapists.